Shhh It’s Vegan

Shhh It’s Vegan Tara Lynne Franco is a Relationship & Awesomeness Coach, lover of all things food!

✨54 Years. Five Beliefs.Belief #3: Follow Your Happy Plan.When I first started this series, I promised to share five be...
07/23/2026

✨54 Years. Five Beliefs.
Belief #3: Follow Your Happy Plan.

When I first started this series, I promised to share five beliefs that have shaped my life.

Today's is probably the oldest.
It's a belief I've been following for more than 25 years.

Despite the name, my Happy Plan isn't actually a plan.
It's a way of moving through life.

Back in 2000 (anyone else remember Y2K?), my life looked very different.

I was on the verge of divorce and standing at a crossroads, trying to figure out what came next.

I didn't have all the answers.

But I did know I wanted to create a life that felt aligned with who I knew myself to be, what I valued, and the kind of life I wanted to build.

So I started paying attention to the moments, opportunities, and experiences that genuinely lit me up.

What made me curious.
What gave me energy.
What made me feel more alive.

Not because those paths were easy. They weren't.
But because they felt like the right choices for me.

Over the years, following my Happy Plan has taken me to places I never could have predicted.

✨ Leaving the security of a government job to study ceramics full-time.
✨ Moving across the country to Red Deer, Alberta for a year to work as a ceramics technician at an art school with an inspiring head of ceramics.
✨ Taking a leave of absence during the pandemic to start a coaching business and launch a podcast.

And now, taking another leave to see what is possible when I give that work my full attention.

This week felt different. Because Tuesday and Wednesday, the two days that had belonged to my government job for the past few years, suddenly belonged to me.

Instead of heading into the office, I spent my time building relationships, exploring partnerships, creating something new for my clients (you may like it too...), and ending each day feeling energized.

The Happy Plan isn't about having the perfect roadmap. It's about staying curious, noticing what lights you up, and having the courage to follow where it leads.

🌱 Today's Reflection
When was the last time you felt truly energized by something you were doing?
What were you doing?
What if those moments aren't random and are pointing to your Happy Plan?

54 Years. Five Beliefs.Belief #2: The people beside us matter more than the path itself.**It's Tuesday.Normally, today ...
07/21/2026

54 Years. Five Beliefs.
Belief #2: The people beside us matter more than the path itself.**

It's Tuesday.

Normally, today I'd be putting on my Ontario government hat and heading into the office or logging in from home.

Instead, this week looks very different.

Yesterday, what was intended to be a casual lunch at Wildwoods Retreats with four amazing women turned into one of those days that fills your cup in all the best ways.

We laughed.
We shared ideas and brainstormed.
We celebrated.
We inspired one another.

And somewhere in those conversations, I was reminded of one of the beliefs that has shaped my life:

✨The people beside us matter more than the path itself.

Over the years, I've learned that we all need people who invite us to be fully ourselves.

The people we can laugh with, cry with, dream with, and who celebrate our successes while gently challenging us to grow.

Yesterday reminded me that meaningful relationships aren't only built over decades. Sometimes they are built through showing up authentically, listening generously, and genuinely wanting the best for one another.

I've known Lisa McPhee for more than ten years. She's one of my closest friends and now my business partner.

Over the past six months, I've also had the opportunity to get to know Jennifer Brouwer (Wildwoods Retreats), Diana YK Chan, MBA and Keka DasGupta.

Each time we've spent together, I've walked away feeling more connected, inspired, and grateful.

Rich, meaningful relationships aren't measured only by how long we've known someone.

They're measured by how safe we feel to show up exactly as we are, and how we feel after spending time together.

As a coach, I know that growth doesn't happen in isolation. The people beside us influence what we believe is possible, even when it might seem impossible.

I'm incredibly grateful for everyone who has walked alongside me, whether for years or for a season. You all leave an imprint. ❤️

🌱 Today's Reflection

Who is someone in your life who leaves you feeling more like yourself, energized, and inspired? Do they know?

Maybe today is the day to send them a message, tag them below, or share this post. You and they will feel great!

Day One.This morning I woke up with excitement and was reminded of something…For the first time in 3 years, I get to sha...
07/16/2026

Day One.

This morning I woke up with excitement and was reminded of something…

For the first time in 3 years, I get to shape my days around the work that lights me up and the businesses I’m ready to focus on more fully.

It’s an open door to create, explore, and build more space for the work I love.

And this weekend, as I celebrated turning 54, I found myself reflecting on the beliefs that have guided so many of the choices I’ve made in life.

Not perfect beliefs.
Not beliefs I’ve always followed flawlessly.
Some of the beliefs I keep coming back to, like these...D

✨ Don’t ask, don’t get.
✨ The possible and impossible are equally possible.
✨ Follow your Happy Plan.

Over the next week or so, I’ll be sharing five beliefs that have shaped my first 54 years, not because I have all the answers, but because I’ve learned that the stories and beliefs we carry influence the choices we make.

And as a coach, I’ve seen again and again how powerful it can be to pause and ask ourselves better questions.

So I’ll leave you with my first reflection:

🌱 Today’s Reflection:
What belief is guiding the chapter of life you’re in right now?
Is it helping you move toward the life you want to create?

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Share them below or send me a DM 💖

Today is my last day in the office with the Ontario government.After many years in public service, I’m beginning a one-y...
07/15/2026

Today is my last day in the office with the Ontario government.

After many years in public service, I’m beginning a one-year leave to focus fully on my coaching practice and The Suite Spot by TLF.

To be honest, this decision feels equal parts exciting, terrifying, and deeply right.

As I celebrated my 54th birthday this weekend, I found myself reflecting on the beliefs that have guided some of the biggest decisions in my life. Two of them keep rising to the surface today:

⚡️Don’t ask, don’t get.
So many meaningful opportunities in my life began because I asked the question, started the conversation, submitted the application, or said yes before I knew exactly how it would turn out.

⚡️The possible and impossible are equally possible.
When I look back, many of the things that have brought me the most joy, growth, and purpose once felt wildly unlikely. Starting a coaching business. Launching a podcast. Building a tech platform for entrepreneurs. Traveling to places I’d only dreamed about. And now, stepping into this next chapter.

I don’t know exactly what the next year will bring. But I do know this: I want to spend it building work that is aligned with who I am, helping people create lives and businesses that fit them, and seeing what becomes possible when passion gets more room to breathe.

To my colleagues in the OPS and in particular my Payroll Service Service Delivery Modernization team, THANK YOU! It's truly been the best team I've every worked with - collaborative, supportive, and just awesome. I’ve learned so much from the people I’ve worked alongside, and I’m incredibly grateful for the experience, friendships, and opportunities that brought me here.

And to everyone cheering me on as I take this leap: Thank you. Your encouragement means more than you know. ❤️

Here’s to year 55, new beginnings, and discovering what’s possible when we’re willing to ask for what we want and trust ourselves enough to take the next step.

I can't wait to share more about what I'm doing and other lessons I've learned over the last 54 years! If you're curious or have questions, send me a DM or drop a comment. I'd love to hear from you.

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